Services

Pregnancy

Being pregnant is one of the most incredible, wonderful and life changing events a woman can experience. Our bodies are amazing at adapting and accommodating to the huge changes and demands that are placed on our bodies during pregnancy. For some these can cause changes to bladder and bowel function and for others, aches and pains around our back, hips and pelvis and It is very common for women to report conditions such as pelvic girdle pain. This CAN be treated and I aim to minimise and alleviate these stresses to allow for a positive and enjoyable pregnancy where you can head into your baby’s birth and early weeks feeling confident, positive, strong and well informed.

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I can help you with and treat the following common conditions and issues:

  • Back, pelvic, pubic and coccyx pain,
  • Pelvic girdle pain
  • Bladder and bowel problems such as leaking, urgency and constipation
  • Perineal discomfort including vulval varicosities/varicose veins
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
  • Birth preparation
  • Exercise advice and modifications
  • Pelvic floor rehabilitation
  • General aches and pains, postural advice and overall wellness during your pregnancy

Post natal

Most women who have had a baby will experience some degree of weakness to their tummy and/or pelvic floor muscles which may lead to pelvic or back dysfunction and poor core control. Some women appear to ‘bounce back’ with their tummy shape and recovery whereas others are left feeling very disconnected, frustrated or even shocked with their recovery. However your baby was delivered, either vaginally or via cesarian, with or without complication, you have still made, grown and delivered a baby within you and your body deserves the upmost in post natal care.

Seeing a Womens Health Physiotherapist in the post-natal period to assess and guide recovery has shown to reduce pelvic health concerns and issues later on in life.

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I have experience in successfully treating and resolving the following common post-natal complaints and conditions:

  • Postural concerns over feeding, lifting and moving with a baby!
  • Caesarian, perineal and episiotomy scar pain and sensitivity
  • Scar therapy
  • Treatment of perineal tears including 3rd and 4th degree
  • Diastasis rectus or a ‘tummy gap’ rehabilitation
  • Bladder or Bowel difficulties including difficulty controlling urine, faeces or wind, urgency and frequency
  • Constipation
  • Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse
  • Low back, coccyx and pelvic pain
  • Pain with intercourse or using tampons
  • Pelvic floor rehabilitation
  • Return to exercise including bespoke strength and movement programmes and liaison with appropriate health care professionals and fitness coaches where wanted/needed

Mummy MOT

The Mummy MOT is a must to help women re-connect with their bodies both physically and emotionally and help regain optimum health and safe return to exercise following birth. Whether you are 6 weeks or many years after having a baby, as a certified Mummy Mot practitioner I can help you restore your pelvic function and get strong to return to activity.

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In France it is normal practise that every women receive a post-natal check from a specialist women health physiotherapist. They assess their tummy and pelvic floor strength and restore the woman back to full strength, function and aid a safe return to exercise addressing any physical issues sustained during pregnancy and birth along the way. I feel that this should be the norm in the UK too.

What is a mummy MOT?

  • 1-hour in-depth post-natal assessment suitable from 6 weeks to 6 years
  • Pelvic floor strength and tummy gap check
  • A thorough full body postural assessment addressing any physical problems from pregnancy and birth
  • A post-natal recovery programme devised especially for you, your lifestyle and fitness goals
  • Bespoke and safe post-natal exercises to improve stability, posture and core strength
  • Scar therapy for caesarean scars

Gynaecology

1/3 women suffer from a pelvic floor related issue at some stage in their lives. Commonly these issues are most problematic just after you have a baby or during the menopause however can occur at any stage of our lives. It has been shown that embarrassment is one of the biggest hurdles in Womens reaching out for help. Seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist has proven to be extremely successful in treating these conditions

  • Pelvic organ prolapse including cystocele, rectocele and uterine
  • Constipation or difficulty with fully emptying bowels
  • Urinary leakage with coughing, sneezing, jumping or exercise
  • Difficulty in holding or strong urgency associated with opening your bladder or bowels
  • Faecal incontinence
  • Difficulty controlling wind
  • Overactive bladder or painful bladder syndrome
  • Dysparunia (painful sex)
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Endometriosis and pelvic pain
  • Post surgical rehabilitation (gynaecological, abdominal or breast)
  • Scar therapy for any abdominal or other scars

Pelvic Health

Although many suffer from the effects of a weak pelvic floor there are many more that experience symptoms due to effects of an overactive or tight pelvic floor. These problems often materialise in the form of pain both internal and external, poor bladder and bowel function, difficulties with intercourse or simply as the patient who hasn’t got better despite doing their exercises.

Conditions such as endometriosis or symptoms relating to the menopause are often overlooked and not given the time and treatment they deserve.

I regularly see and treat the following symptoms and conditions:

  • Pain or discomfort with sex
  • Difficulty inserting tampons
  • Urine frequency and/or difficulty with bladder and bowel control
  • Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome
  • Vulvodynia
  • Vaginismus/muscle spasm
  • Pain internally or externally around the vagina, anus, low abdomen or pelvis
  • Hip, groin or low back pain
  • Endometriosis
  • Chronic pelvic pain

Treatment

I believe in a truly holistic approach to my assessments and treatment plan and use a variety of modalities and treatments all which are individually tailored to meet the needs of each client. When needed, I regularly liaise with and refer to other healthcare and medical professionals to enable the very best outcome of recovery.

You can expect time, privacy and empathy during an appointment with myself as well as constant explanation, consent and reassurance throughout. Your initial session will include:

  • Taking a detailed history
  • Postural/movement assessment
  • Pelvic examination (internal and external)
  • Thorough explanation of findings, treatments and suggestions
  • Email follow-up including exercises
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Treatments I use may include:-

  • Pelvic floor rehabilitation and re-education
  • Internal and External manual therapy/trigger point release
  • Soft Tissue Mobilisation including myofascial release
  • Education
  • Scar tissue and massage
  • Visceral mobilisation
  • Breathing and relaxation techniques
  • Toileting techniques
  • Bladder training
  • Postural education
  • Biofeedback
  • Vaginal dilators
  • Individual exercise programme and support with return to activity
  • Joint and spinal Mobilisation

Menopause

Peri to Post Menopause

All women will at some stage go through the menopause and whilst some will breeze through this period of transition without worry or concern, many will experience symptoms associated with hormonal change. 51% of our population will be affected by the menopause at some time, and yet it is still widely misunderstood.

The average age of menopause is 51 years and the term ‘Menopause” is the name given to the day when it has been 12 months since your last menstrual period. After this day you are post menopausal.

The term ‘Peri-Menopause’ is the 10-15 years prior to this when a woman is still having periods (which may be regular, heavier, lighter or irregular) however experiencing symptoms associated with the ebbs and flows of our bodies hormones, in particular declining oestrogen. There are many symptoms that women may experience at this time with the most commonly reported being hot flushes, night sweats, disturbed sleep, mood changes, joint aches and brain fog. Other common areas often affected at this time are our bladder, bowel and sexual function. 50% women report genital itching, burning or irritation, sexual symptoms of pain, dryness and discomfort and urinary symptoms including frequency, urgency, leaking, urinary tract infections and symptoms of prolapse.

Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapy can help with many of these symptoms and make a huge impact on quality of life and help you to treat, manage and get back in control of your pelvic health and wellbeing.

Scar therapy

As a RESTORE scar therapist I can help improve and promote healthy recovery of scars from recent surgery or injury as well as older scars too. The body is constantly renewing cells and although we can’t make a scar disappear, scar therapy treatment can improve symptoms of pain, sensitivity and overall textural changes to both the scar and surrounding tissues.

Restore scar therapy is a method of non-invasive physical therapy developed to treat scar tissue, fibrosis and adhesions using specialist scar massage, fascial release and self care advice to promote healthy recovery as well as promote functional and cosmetic improvements.

Any scars from ceasarian section and appendectomy to laparoscopic incisions and drain sites can benefit from manual release and scar specific therapy. Once the scabs are gone treatment can be commenced and tailored to your specific needs. Benefits of RESTORE scar therapy include:

  • Release tightness
  • Help restricted mobility
  • Reduce pain and sensitivity
  • Stimulate and boost healing
  • Support emotional wellbeing
  • Advise on scar friendly products and silicone
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Contact Gemma

To ask any questions, book an appointment or to receive further information please email:

gemma@gpphysiotherapy.co.uk
or call me on: Mobile: 07773 716 505

Alternatively head to the booking section. For appointments in Reigate, virtual appointments and home visits please contact me directly.